Milan Exhibition Revives Legacy of Gilded Age Sculptor Paul Troubetzkoy

An exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art in Milan, running through June 28, aims to restore recognition for sculptor Paul Troubetzkoy. Born Italian with Russian princely origins, Troubetzkoy worked internationally from the late 1880s until his death in 1938, creating dynamic portrait sculptures of prominent figures like Leo Tolstoy, Giacomo Puccini, and members of wealthy families such as the Vanderbilts. Though celebrated in his era—George Bernard Shaw praised him as an extraordinary modern sculptor—his commitment to figurative style later led to neglect as art trends shifted toward abstraction. Curator Omar Cucciniello organized the show, titled 'Paul Troubetzkoy: The Sculptor of the Belle Époque,' featuring dozens of works to highlight his cosmopolitan career.